I may fall down but I'll never stay down

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Today is of my current streak!

On March 1, 2012, I decided that I was sick of being obese, unhealthy, lazy, uninspired and unmotivated. I was sick of being embarrassed by how I looked, sick of breathing hard with just the slightest bit of exertion, sick of my back and knees hurting all the time. I was so tired of being uncomfortable in my own body whether I was sitting, standing or laying down. I was tired of feeling bad ALL of the time.

I decided it was time to join my Sparkfriends Arlene and Debbie, trying to build a streak of good days in a row. I didn't know if it would work for me, or if I would be able to get beyond day one. But I knew I had to try. Doing nothing was getting me nowhere, so what did I have to lose by at least making an attempt to change things?

So I started. I was totally committed to just getting through that first day. I woke up on March first and I got out my personal journal and I planned my meals and snacks for the day. Then I went into the living room and I worked out with My Fitness Coach for Wii. I weighed 286 lbs, and was so out of shape! In less that two minutes (no exxageration) I was out of breath, sweating, and wanting to just go sit down or have a snack. It would have been so easy to quit, but I kept pushing myself. I worked out for 15 minutes, and for that entire time, I wanted to give up.

Part of me was saying "Just stop....you can try again tomorrow."

But there was another voice saying "You know that if you quit now, it will be MONTHS before you start again, and you know it!"

So I kept going, and I got through that 15 minute workout. And when I was done, there was a new feeling, one I hadn't had in a long, long time. I was PROUD of myself! I felt such a wonderful sense of accomplishment and...hope. I had worked out! I'd persevered! Yes, it was only 15 minutes, but I did it! I stood there in my living room, breathing heavy, my shirt stuck to my back from sweat, and I couldn't stop smiling. And I knew that I wanted to feel this way again!

That was the moment when my streak really began. And from that small beginning, I worked my way up to more and more days in a row. I worked my way up from 15 minutes of exercise a day to 30, to 45, to 90.

I got to day 290 of my streak two weeks ago...and then I got off track. I was disappointed in myself, but I didn't waste time beating myself up over it. I didn't let one bad day lead to two bad days or a bad week (or bad month.) I got right back on track...and this time my streak lasted for 13 days.

Yesterday, I got off track again. I binged on a LOT of food, to the point of feeling sick. And when I went to bed last night, I was feeling very remorseful and angry with myself. But today is a new day, and the start of another new streak. I got up this morning and I worked out! I did two 30 minute DDP Yoga workouts, and then I had a healthy breakfast. I planned my food for the day, and so far I have been on track. I just finished a 30 minute Zumba workout, and I feel great! Yesterday was a bad day, but it was just ONE day. Today is a good day...and yes, thats just ONE day too, but I'm determined to keep going, to day two, day three and beyond.

I don't know how long this streak will last, but one thing I do know is that I will never give up. I may fall down, but I will never stay down. I'm not the same person I was before I started streaking in March. I am strong, determined and healthy. Not perfect, but definitely making progress!

TDEMAIO2
What an inspiration you are I did SO well and I fell into what I call the PIT for a few days :O Your words are what I needed to hear I am getting out of the pit and today is my start to eating clean -being strong and being HAPPY woo hoo 1750 days ago

ROXTRY
Nice blog! Love the motivational quotes. Thanks for sharing!Here's wishing you much success as you continue streaking along in your journey!!! Keep up the good work and have a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

REGULARSHOW
You have no idea how strong you are to be able to move past your mistakes and accept that you are human. I have no idea who you are but i feel your pain, and i feel so proud of you for being able to move past it and be stronger, and working yourself to a healthier you. When i first started on here i was 250, and im 19 yrs old. I feel uncomfortable in my body, I decided that wasnt who i wanted to be. We all day dream of what we want to look like, what we want to be remembered for, why not achieve that YOU that you imagine. =)I believe in you, and I believe you can achieve that person YOU want to be. We all fall off and its ok. Just always love yourself, it may be hard but its extremely important. You can do it!1750 days ago

One thing to notice. When we get right back up and keep going after a setback, rather than give in for months, we don't collapse back to where we began. You didn't start back at the beginning with struggling to finish 15 minutes - you did two 30 minute sessions. You've come so far, and every streak that gets another day longer is more steps away from where you started from.

GODWILLING723
Your words always inspire me! I have been off of work for the last week and unfortunately that means, I haven't gone to the gym, haven't tracked my food (which is probably better cause it's been too much), I haven't done anything but eat!! Even my house chores have been neglected... My one day become one week and I really hope I could start brand new tomorrow more focused... Cause I'm starting to go backwards and I can't find that motivated me again.... Glad to hear you keep moving forward and not letting your bad day get progressively get worse... 1750 days ago

DUTCH1811
Great Blog!!! You are doing !!! ! I know what you mean about starting and not being able to do it. I started my journey about 5 years ago. My highest recorded weight was 286 as well. When I first started I could only do the stationary bike for 2-3 minutes... NO JOKE.. that is all I could do. I could not even do the 15 min like you did. But like you I was determined and kept going. I too did this every day for months. I did not keep track of how many days my streak was but I know it was for months. I lost 65 pounds. I have gone back and forth with about 15 pounds. I am currently at 225. I am trying to get back into that same routine. I fall and stumble a lot. But like you I REFUSE to give up. It is nice to know I am not on this journey alone and others struggle the same as I do. Again, thanks for sharing. 1750 days ago

SHIRE33
Thank you for posting this. I've had a period of being off track, and this weekend, I've gotten back on track with my eating. I'm taking baby steps again to get my routine going again. It's helpful to be reminded that what matters is that we keep coming back to what we know works. : ) 1751 days ago